Incline electric railway



(No Model.)

R. M. HUNTER. INCLINE ELECTRIC-RAILWAY. No. 402,084. PatentedApL'ZS, 1889.

, F\G I r N. PETERS. Phalml-ilhqgrmphfif. walhinglon, D C.

To all whom it may concern:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

INC Ll N E ELECTRIC RAl LWAY.'

SIIEIMJIFIC.ATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 402,084, dated April 23, 1889.

Application filed January 5, 1889. Serial No. 295,534. (No model.)

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Incline Electric Railways, (Case 78,) of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to the construction and operation of electric railways; and it consists in certain improvements, fully set forth in the following specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof.

This application (Case 78) is for certain impro vements in the construction of electric railways having steep-grade portions.

The object of my invention may be stated to be the provision of an electric railway having line-conductors with an electrically-propelled dummy or hill motor-car, whose duty it is to assist the passenger-car up the grade;

Broadly considered, my invention contemplates the employment of an electrically-propelled dummy ormotor-car in a railway having a grade to, assist the passenger-car (also preferably electrically propelled) up the grade, when provision is made to allow the passenger-car to passihe dummy or motorcar.

Specifically considered my invention can be carried out in severalways, the objects of which may be severally stated to be First. To enable in a system such as above specified a motor to be out out of circuit withv out in any way interfering with the current passing down the line and without requiring any of the current to pass through the motors. It is importantto have an automatic regulator independent of the motor, as in a series system any derangement of the shuntcircuits over the car-or motor would affect the current in the line, and consequently all the motors in circuit would be made to feel this defect without power to overcome it. With an automatic regulator for the sections and independent of the motors such trouble would not arise, as the regulator would not rate parallel track for the dummy or motorcar, so that the dummy may be coupled or uncoupled with the passenger-car to assist it up the grade or release it, respectively, and in which the dummy or motor-car never passes in the line of travel of the passenger-car. I11 this case both the passenger-car and dummy may be electrically propelled and receive currents from line-conductors or batteries on the car or cars.

Third. To provide a construction in which the dummy receives its electrical energy.

through the passenger-car, either from batteries on the latter or from line-conductors. In this case the dummy would not have any batteries nor collectors for taking current from line-conductors, but would simply have an electrical coupling for connecting its m0- tor with the motor-conductors on the passenger-car. In coming down the grade the dummy would rely on a powerful brake to control its travel. The brake may be mechanical or electrical.

If desired, the dummy may push the car up and have the turn-out at the bottom. The employment of gradedummies enables me to use motors on the cars of a size suflicient to propel the car fully loaded over ordinary level or slightly-inclined parts, but not up heavy grades without assistance.

My obj ect is to avoid the necessity of large, wasteful, and cumbersome motors capable of two or three times the normal duty required of them. This cheapens the construction of plant, reduces the cost of operation, and lessens the wear upon the road-bed.

When line-conductors are employed, they may be either the rails, surface conductors,

independent of the rails, conductors housed in a conduit, suspended conductors, or any combinations of these. The passenger-car need not necessarily be electrically propelled.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of an electric railway illustrating the grade and passenger-car and dummy. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the track of same, showing the rails used as the electrical conductors. Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 2, but having a separate narrow-gage track for the dummy. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the conductors arranged similar to Fig. 2, but in which the conductors are housed in aconduit and are separate from the track. Fig. 5 is a crosssection of Fig. 4 on line y 3 Fig. 6 is aplan view showing a modification of the dummy and passenger tracks, in which they are parallel, but never in line;, and Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing a construction in which the dummy-motor receives its current from the motor-circuits of the passenger-car, and also shows the employment of overhead or underground line-conductors separate from the rails, and also a battery on the car as a source of power.

A is a generator or dynamo at a central station, or placed somewhere convenient, to supply electricity to the line or working conductors B B, arranged along the railway A A", and, if desired, forming the rails thereof.

A represents an upgrade on an electric railway.

B is the dummy, whose duty it is to assist the passenger-car B up the incline and then leave it. The dummy may run upon the same rails as the car and may receive its current from the same working-conductors, or it may have a separate track and separate conductors.

Fig. 2 shows an arrangement of tracks for the dummy and car, in which the rails may be the conductors.

A is the turn-out for the dummy at the top of the grade. A switch, J, would be used to turn the dummy onto the siding A and allow the passenger-car to travel on. This would be used where the dummy pulls the car up; but when the dummy is designed to push the car up the turn-out would be at the bottom of the grade.

In Fig. 3 is shown separate tracks for the dummy, which may also be separate conductors receiving their current from the same source as the line-conductors, and the current supplied to these conductors may be regulated by the resistance-changer b.

B represents the dummy-tracks.

By the construction shown in Fig. 3 it is evident that no switch is necessary for the rails or conductors, as the passenger-car and dummy receive current from different working-conductors, although they obtain their supply from the same primary source. They might, if desired, receive current from different sources.

In Figs. 4: and 5 we have the conductors substantially as arranged in Fig. 2, only placed in a conduit, E, and electrically connected with the car or dummy, or both, by suitable current collectors. In this case separate track-rails are not shown, but it is evident that separate tracks may be used, as in the case of Fig. 3, in which latter case the gage of the dummy might be the same, or greater or smaller, than that of the passenger-car.

In the various figures 00 indicates the top of the grade, and A indicates the grade; but in cases Where the dummy pushes the passenger-car up the grade, instead of pulling it up, the turn-out A would be at the bottom of the grade, which would be the same as taking the end 00 of Figs. 2 to 6 as being the bottom of the grade.

J is a switch for the rail.

In the construction shown in Fig. 6 we have two parallel tracks, the track 13 being that of the dummy, and this, as in the case of Fig. 3, has separate conductors B", which may receive current from the main-line conductors B B, being in multiple connection therewith. The dummy B is coupled with the passengercar by a coupling, F, which may be uncoupled at the top of the grade to allow the passengercar to proceed on its way and the dummy to return to the bottom of the grade, to assist the next passenger-car. In this case the dummy never passes in the line of travel of the passenger-car.

In the construction shown in Fig. 7 We have the dummy in the position relatively to the passenger-car that it would assume in either of the cases shown in the other figures; but in this case the dummy-motor receives current from the motor circuit or conductors on the passenger-car through the flexible coupling-connection H, which may be made in any suitable manner. In this case the dummy may pull or push the passenger-car up the grade, and return wholly by gravity, its speed being controlled by a suitable mechanical brake, I, or by an electric brake. When the grade is long, the motor or the dummy may be coupled so as to make it into a dynamoelectric machine or generator-brake, substantially as set out in my application, Serial No. 195,742 of 1886.

It is immaterial to my invention whether the motors on the dummy and passenger-car be coupled in series or in multiple connection. If the dummy runs in the line of the main track, then it is necessary to run it on to a turn-out at the end of the grade, as before explained, and then uncouple the connection H.

In place of using conductors on the surface or in a conduit, suspended conductors may be employed, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7, or such suspended conductor may be used in conjunction with the other conduct ors, or either of them, and likewise a housed conductor may be used with a rail or ground return.

While line-conductors are largely employed as a means of conveying current from a source to the traveling vehicle, yet I have equally well employed batteries on the car as the source of power, and have indicated in Fig. 7 in dotted lines at S such batteries as the source of power. It is evident that both the passenger-car and dummy may have such batteries as the source of power.

The foregoing will explain the nature of my invention, and in conclusion I would say that I do not limit myself to the details shown, as they may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of my invention.

the combination of a source of electric supply, line working-conductors, a short switching turn-out or siding at the top of the grade provided with working conductors for the traction-dummy, and electrical connections between said working-conductors for the dummy and line-conductors or their source of electrical supply.

2. In an electric railway having an upgrade, the combination of a source of electric supply, main-line working-conductors, a short switching turn-out or siding at the top of the grade providedwith working-conductors for the traction-dummy, electrical connections between said working-conductors for the dummy and line-conductors or their source of electrical supply, and a slotted branched. conto allow the passage ofthe passenger-car.

at. In an electric railway having an upgrade, the combination of a source of electric sup ply, main line working conductors, a short switching turn-out or siding at the top of the grade 1 provided withrworking-conductors for the traction-dummy, electrical connections between said working conductors for the dummy and line-conductors or their source of electrical supply, a slotted branched conduit containingsaid line and traction-dummy workingconductors, switching devices to switch the dummy onto. the siding or turn-out to allow the passage of the passenger-car, an electrically-propelled passenger-car,-f-a traction dummy or motor to assist said car up the grade, and a disconnectible coupling between said car and traction-dummy.

5. The combinationof an electric railway arranged on an incline with a substantiallyhorizontal part at top and bottom, a dummytrackat one end of said inclined portion of the railway arranged out'of line of the main" track to support the dummy to one side of the main track, electrical conductors for the dummy on the inclined portion of the railway, an electrically-propelled dummy or traction-vehicle, a passenger-car to run upon the main track, and a coupling between the passenger-car and dummy, whereby the dummy may assist the passenger-car up the grade or incline, and also allow the passenger-car to pass the dummy.

6. The combination of a railway-track having a grade portion, a main-line conductor arranged along the railway, an electrically-propelled passenger-car receiving current from said conductor, a dummy-track, a conductor for said dummy track, an electrically-propelled dummy for assisting the passenger-car up the grade receiving current from said @on-- ductor for the dummy track, and a detachable coupling between the dummy and passenger-car.

7. The combination of a railway-track having a grade portion, a main-line conductor arranged along the railway, an electrically-propelled passenger-car receiving current from said conductor, a dummy-track, a conductor for said dummy-track, an electrically-propelled dummy for assisting the passenger-car up the grade receiving current from said conductor for the dummy-track, a common source of supply to the main-line, and dummy-track conductors, and a detachable coupling between the dummy and passenger-car.

8. The combination of a railway-track hav ing a grade portion, a main-line conductor arranged along the railway, an electrically-pro-, pelled passenger-car receiving current from said conductor, a dummy-track, a conductor for said dummy track, an electrically propelled dummy for assisting the passenger-car up the grade receiving current from said conductor for the dummy-track, a common source of supply to the main-line and dummy-track conductors, a regulator to regulate the current supplied to the dummy-track conductor,

and a detachable couplingbetween the dummy:

and passenger-car.

9. The combination, in a railway, of a main track having a grade, an auxiliary track at the grade, a passenger-car adapted to run on the main track, an electrically-propelled dummy-car to run upon the auxiliary track, a coupling between the passenger-car and dummy, and a source of electric supply to the motor on the dummy,

10. The combination, in a railway, of amain track having a grade, an auxiliary track at the grade, an electrically-propelled passengercar adapted to run on the main track, an electrically-propelled dummy-car to run upon the auxiliary track, a coupling between the passenger-car and dummy, and a source of electric supply to the motor on the dummy and passenger-car.

11. The combination, in arailway, of a main track having a grade, an auxiliary track at the grade, a passenger-car adapted to run on the main track, an electrically-propelled duman eleetrically-propelled passenger-ear, an

my-car to run upon. the auxiliary track, a coupling between the passenger-car and dummy, separate conductors for the main track and auxiliary track, and electrical connections between the motors on the passengercar and dummy.

12. The combination, in a railway, 01. a main track having a grade, an auxiliary track at the grade, a passenger-car adapted to run 011 the main track, an electrically-propelleddum- 1 my-car to run upon the auxiliary track, a coupling between the passenger-car and dummy, separate conductors for the main track and auxiliary track, electricalconnections between the motors on the passenger-car and dummy, and a common source of electric energy for both conductors.

13. The combination, in an electric railway having a grade, of the main track and lineconductor, with an auxiliary parallel track at i the grade portion, an electrically-p1.-opelled passenger-ear for the main track, a traction electrically-propelled dummy for the auxil- I iary track,a common source of electric energy, and a detachable coupling between the passen ger-car and dummy.

14c. The combination, in an electric railway 1 having a grade, of the main track and line- Y conductor, with an auxiliary parallel track of different gage at the grade portion, an electrically-propelled passenger-car for the main 1 track, a traction electrically-prepelled dummy for the auxiliary track, a common source of electric energy, and a detachable coupling between the passenger-car and dummy.

15. The combination, in an electric railway i having a grade, of the main. track and lineconductor, with an auxiliary parallel track at the grade portion, an electrically-propelled i passenger-car for the main track, a traction electrieally-propelled dummy for the auxili iary track, and a conductor for the auxiliary track, and electrical connection between the conductors for the respective tracks and the 1 car and dummy.

16. The combination, in an electric railway having a grade, of the main track with a dummy turn-out track atone end of the grade,

i i i 4 electrically-propelled dummy for assisting the car up the grade, a detachable coupling between the car and dummy, and a common source of electric energy for the motors of both the passenger-car and dummy.

17. The combination of a main track having a line-conductor, a parallel auxiliary track having a longitudinal conductor, a source of electric supply for said conductors, and a regulator to control the current passing to the conductor of the auxiliary track. l

18. The combination of two electricallypropelled vehicles coupled together, a com- 1 mon source of electric energy for the motors Q its current, having an upgrade, in combination with a short section of working-conduct ors having a lei'igth substantially equal to i said grade and arranged parallel to said lineconductors and on the grade, a passenger electrically-propelled vehicle receiving current from the line-conductors, a tractionmotor or dunnny receiving current from the short-grade sections of working-conductors, and a disconncctible coupling between the passenger-vehicle and dummy.

21. In an electric railway, line working-com ductors from which a traveling motor derives its current, having an upgrade, in combination with a short section of working-00nductors 1 having a length substantially equal to said grade, and arranged parallel to said line-conductors and on the grade, and a common I source of electric supply for both the lineconductors and upgrade-motor conductors.

22. In an electric railway, a line of workj ing-conductors from which a traveling motor derives its current, having an upgrade, in combination with a short section of workingconductors having a length substantially equal to said grade, and arranged parallel to said line-condu ztors on the grade, an electric generator to supply electricity to said lineconduetors, and branch conductors connecting the line-conductors with the corresponding conductors of the upgrade-motor circuit.

23. In an electric railway, aline of workingconductors from which a traveling motor derives its current, having an upgrade, in combination with a short section of working-conductors having a length substantially equal to said grade, arranged parallel to said lineconductors and 011 the grade, and an electrically-propelled passenger-vehicle receiving electricity from the line-conductors, an eleci tric motor receiving electricity from the upgrade-motor conductors, and a disconnectible coupling between the motor and passengervehicle.

In testimony of which invention 1 havehercunto set my hand.

RUDOLPH M. HUN'J'ER. Witnesses:

ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER, E. M. BRECKINREED. 

